Pakistan and Kuwait on Thursday agreed on a roadmap for future engagement for the two countries to strengthen bilateral cooperation and upgrade the ties to a “different level.”
Addressing a joint press stakeout here, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and visiting Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs of Kuwait, Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah highlighted that the bilateral trade was not up to the potential and there existed a huge room to increase the volume.
Earlier, the two foreign ministers held delegation-level talks and discussed the wide array of bilateral and regional issues with a particular focus on enhancing bilateral engagement. Foreign Minister Qureshi told the media that the roadmap was meant to set a target and vision for the future.
He said both sides discussed visa issues lingering on for years wherein he said the Kuwaiti FM gave an encouraging response recognizing the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Kuwait’s development.
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The Kuwaiti FM also appreciated Pakistan’s support to Kuwait in challenging times of COVID-19 and expressed interest to invite more doctors, nurses and medical technicians from Pakistan. He said in order to enhance connectivity, Pakistan and Kuwait agreed to develop linkages between Gwadar Port and Mubarak al Kabeer Port of Kuwait.
The foreign minister appreciated Kuwait’s role to diffuse tension between GCC countries. Kuwaiti FM Dr Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah said the Pakistan-Kuwait ties were 58 years old and acknowledged Pakistan’s historical support and cooperation for Kuwait’s security which continued even to the current era of a pandemic.
Referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Kuwaiti FM told media that he conveyed a message from Kuwaiti PM which manifested the solid ties between the two countries.
He said both the countries had agreed to institutionalize the bilateral relations to have clear indicators of cooperation in multiple sectors.
He said the Pakistani community was an “integral part” of Kuwait’s development for which the country was proud of. He thanked and appreciated Pakistan’s neutral position during the rift in GCC countries and expressed pleasure over the resolution of the dispute.
Just and BIG: Pakistan and Kuwait make headway in the visa issue announces @SMQureshiPTI in his joint presser with Kuwaiti counterpart – Kuwait was not issuing visas to Pakistanis since 2011. #Pakistan #Kuwait pic.twitter.com/ti1DGdTcCL
— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) March 18, 2021
To a question, Foreign Minister Qureshi said the bilateral trade of over a billion-dollar was not up to the mark which could be enhanced manifold.
He said the Kuwaiti side had also been apprised of the friendly regime, high return, ease of doing business, and potential for investment in Pakistan.
He said under the roadmap, the two countries had agreed to the promotion of cultural ties and linkages in fields of education, adding that the bilateral trajectory of military cooperation was positive.
The Kuwaiti FM told the media that the Kuwaiti government was just dealing with the illegal residents and the Pakistani diaspora did not need to be afraid of losing their jobs. He also assured that the Kuwait leadership was committed to addressing the issue once and for all.
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Asked whether Kuwait would mediate between Pakistan and India on Kashmir issue, he said Kuwait’s position was clear and went along with the UNSC and OIC resolutions.
However, Kuwait would not hesitate to play a role in the amicable resolution of the issues as the country never wanted the friendly countries to enter any tension.
Courtesy: APP